Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Jim wrote: "The vast majority of avid readers may occasionally recommend a book to an acquaintance, but they never post a review on a literary or vendor website."

That's the exact point I was trying to make when mentioning how the number of reviews a book has isn't always an indication of the amount of effort someone has put in to marketing.

Interesting how this discussion has developed.

I have written only one novel (The Battle of Paardeberg: Lord Roberts' Gambit) and self-published it. It soon became apparent that marketing it was going to be very time consuming - requiring too much of the time I have available (I am in full time employment), especially if I wanted to continue to spend time writing. I then realised that if I did succeed in marketing the book and sales took off I would not have another book available for 2 to 3 years and would have to start all over again. So I agree with Dwayne in that one should have a series of novels in place before you get going with the marketing (unless you are a professional author and have the time to get another one out quickly). Fortunately I currently write for fun rather than for the money.

That's what I've been trying to say in line with Victoria. Just because an author has quite a few books out and the time between their release is short, doesn't mean they didn't take the time to make sure it's quality work.

As I've mentioned before, way before I got the opportunity to self-publish, I spent years writing my books, editing them, revising, editing, revising again. That's why I'm able to release at least two books a year. There's still quite a few waiting to be taken off the shelf, so you'll see two more next year probably. But I assure you that from all that experience, I take the time and effort to turn out quality work.

As for reviews, I try and try to get readers to leave reviews. I've sold more books than gotten reviews, but not because I didn't try.

This is just an example, but out of at least 30 books I've given away in exchange for their reviews, only 2 have bothered. You can't make them give reviews if they don't want to take the time. On the last page of my next release I have asked readers to give a review if they have the time. We'll see...

Groovy wrote: "That's what I've been trying to say in line with Victoria. Just because an author has quite a few books out and the time between their release is short, doesn't mean they didn't take the time to ma..."

My point exactly!

I've written 4 books and have several short stories and poems published in anthologies. I tend to market the latest book I published although I feel I should promote all of them accordingly in fitting places and during certain times. An author can write that next book but their job is never done when it comes to marketing.

I have written 11 books - my 12th is coming out around Thanksgiving. :)

I have published 4 series; namely, Unbearable Passion, The Seduction Factor, Curves Envy, and Billionaires' Indulgence.

Officially, I have written and published five books, but I have lost track on how many I have actually written. For all I know I may have written eight or more total.

Just writing books 6 & 7; a duology. All my previous ones are stand alone, so this is exciting for me.

They're all on Zon so I can see them all there or here on GR.
I also have a spreadsheet of main character names so I don't duplicate too much.

Good luck xx

I have written and published 2 books - officially working on finishing my 3rd.

-Nihar
www.niharsuthar.com

2 printed books. 1 short ebook and in the process of finishing 2 books at the moment.

I have published ten books since 2013, and I'm working on the eleventh one now. It should be out at the end of this month. All my books have been Amazon #1 bestsellers.

I agree with the comments that it is hard to keep up with marketing (I wrote a blog that writing is only 10% of getting your book to readers, the other 90% is marketing). And I agree that it's a good idea to have another book come out soon after the release of one. You have to build a fan base and keep them interested. Writing, publishing, and marketing are a full-time job, and it can be quite stressful trying to figure out what to do.

Hi everyone, I have just published ebook number 13 with more to come. They're across several genres-erotica/horror/mystery/romance/poetry/children. I teach full time & that pays the bills, my writing is sadly secondary even though I've been a journalist/editor/writer & latterly author since 1982.
The social media marketing does become a chore, but it has to be done, in order to promote my books to potential readers. :-)

I've published one horror book recently and have written a few childrens short horror stories that have not been published yet. I'm working on my second novel and I'm also working on a short story fanfic for the indie survival horror game Outlast. I'll just keep in trucking from here. If you're doing the same then keep at it;)

I've published four books: two nonfiction, two fiction.

Demeter and Persephone: Lessons from a Myth (nonfiction)
Women and Goddesses in Myth and Sacred Text (nonfiction)

A Pomegranate and the Maiden (fiction)
Unsung Odysseys (fiction)

I have two books published and am currently writing my third book all about my four years expereince working at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 as a security officers working on the security screening of passengers.
It will make you amazed an unbelieving of passengers behavoiur when faced with the security procedures of a modern day airport.

I authored five science fiction novels, and 14 nonfiction books on various subjects. Plus a bunch of 'sort of' books on subjects that did not merit a full book number of pages.

Two published, third on its way.

I've published two books so far and written a number of others including short stories. I will have enough short stories to eventually put together an anthology.

Hi,
I am a children's author. I have published three books so far, and just finished writing the manuscript of my fourth book, The Invisible Boy.
This new book is the second of a bullying trilogy.

I've published 3, (my non-fiction is about tinnitus/ear noise coping options). I'm back to fiction. I have 1 horror anthology ready to self-publish. I am halfway through another horror anthology , and 2 1/2 books written in a trilogy.

Four novellas published, fifth ready to publish, one waiting in the wings, one being written right now, three in my head!

eight and working on #9

Cynthia wrote: "Authors, just out of curiosity how many books have you written?
And how do you keep track of them all when marketing?
I have about 8 novels, and a few short stories under my belt. I tend to focus ..."

I am currently writing my new fantasy book and I started it in February and I am already 150 pages in. I am currently working out some flaws and plot holes right now, but I look forward to sharing this when it is finished. This will be my sixth book published.

I have just finished my second book El Dorado? No! Heathrow Airport.
Its about my five years of working at Terminal Five as a Security Officers , written in three parts one all about how passengers behave, the second part about how staff behave towards passenges and the third part abou thow managment behave towards their staff and profit versus security.
The great thing is you are all in it, whether you know it or not but read it and you will identify yourselves in the book.
Just getting ready to send the manuscript off to my editor and publishers.
Great book dont miss it when it comes out later this year

Just the one. It is now out in ebook, Kindle for now Smashwords soon. I cant believe how much time it takes after the book is finished if you are self publishing. Have to make website (2 in my case), short video, learn how to conver from Word to ebook (very time consuming), then learn how to get people viewing the sites. I started this book soon after the tsunamis hit in 2011 and its only now ready for publication.
Title is 'Fukushima and the coming Tokyo earthquake: and what it will mean for fragile world economy', hence the tsunami reference. I probably would never have started had I know the enormous amount of work that would be involved. Phew.
Still I'm very pleased with the end result, but so much time and effort. I have one more book in me and then thats it. Retirement to the south of France, a life learning French, drinking Bordeaux and growing my own veggies. can't wait.
I have friend who, the last time I saw him 1.5 years ago had already written 37 books. I am in awe of that.

I have self published 5 over the last 10 years. I have ghost written over 30 books and just published my first children's book. Marketing is tough when you do it alone. My children's book, I am trying to do right. It's costly but will hopefully finally get me noticed. My second children's book is in the works.

I am the author of 3 books. My most recent one just came out in November called "Vile the Gorgon"!

I have just published online my 30th novel (ebook) on the site of Free-Ebooks.net. They are also featured on my Goodreads' author page. I however offer my ebooks for free online, as writing is strictly a hobby for me and not a means of making money. Being able to entertain others around the World with my stories is my biggest reward.

Four published.

Written several but one published so far, The Reluctant Hero. Working on another at the moment.

Three published political suspense novels, and working on #4 in the series.
The Foundation Game: Beginning

I have just finished a 6 book series - the final book: Invasion - was published on 12 November.

I’m already knee deep in a stand alone novel, which feels very strange as I’ve been hanging out with the same set of characters for the last four years. 🤦‍♀️

At the moment, I've published two novels in a MG/YA horse series and am working on the third one. I've also written a picture book that has been sent out to agents, so hopefully that one will be published as well. After I'm done with Book 3 in the horse series, I'll move onto an adult historical novel that I've had in the works for a few years.

After a 36 year, 14-hour-a-day career, I have completed two full manuscripts, two short stories for my son, and a couple of pilot screenplays. I am also a Disney published song writer with four CDs recorded and available on BandCamp.

My first novel is a current day set action-thriller entitled Curse of Cortes' based on the true story of the lost billion dollar plunder of Panama, the 1911 claim by Mitchell Hedges of finding Atlantis, and the Mayan creation myth. You WILL believe there is a treasure to find.

My second novel, but the first to release is entitled SWARM which is inspired by a true story of a program which escapes NSA espionage labs, a Russian hack on a CIA cyber toolkit server, and an FBI visit to my home when I first wrote about the top-secret program. SWARM will integrate cyber-espionage, advanced weapons, AI and end time prophecy in a frighteningly real thrill ride.

The short stories were early backstories for Curse of Cortes', written for my son 30 years ago.

I wrote on several Disney projects, but never a movie. :-(

This is my first book Adam’s Wish from the Adam’s series. Currently, I’m working on my second

I've written five books. The first one I never published. The next four are in my Storm Series, two of which are published with the third launching December 11th. Book 4 in the series launches in spring of next year but it's already written.

I have written several, and plan to write several more. I have three books self-published in my War of Destiny series, with plans to release a 4th within a few weeks. I've had to push back the release due to some conflicts.

I've written six books, four published with normal publishers, one self-published (that went nowhere), and then there's the unpublished "Mother Persia: Praise for Great Iranian Women," which seems to have no takers, probably because it seems too presumptuous of a Western man to go praising Persian women, rather than letting them praise themselves.

I've written screenplays. Probably 50 shorts, features, pilots and specs? I don't even want to count. But I've written/published three books in the past three years, two of which were adaptations of the original scripts.

Just the one at the moment, but I am working on the second book in the series.

By the way, Through Hell & Highwater's cover is currently in AllAuthor cover contest, so please vote for it!
https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-mo...

I've just published my debut novel - it's both disheartening and encouraging to read this thread. I have a beautiful story but not many readers as yet. Not really interested in the sales so much as knowing people are reading what I've laboured for so long to produce.
Keep reminding myself that it's my definition of success that counts in the end and the fact that some have read it (and enjoyed it so far based on a few reviews), then that's Ok! I achieved a goal. I wrote a book!

Jacqueline wrote: "I've just published my debut novel - it's both disheartening and encouraging to read this thread. I have a beautiful story but not many readers as yet. Not really interested in the sales so much as..."

I totally understand you. I also feel like the sales doesn't matter so much, I just one people to enjoy my work!

Victoria wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I've just published my debut novel - it's both disheartening and encouraging to read this thread. I have a beautiful story but not many readers as yet. Not really interested in t..."

Yes - so true :-)

I have published one novel so far, and have the outline of a second one deep inside my brain... I just have to let it float to the top and then I shall start writing it.

I have one published so far. I have never imagined i would become a writer. In May during the lockdown i decided to put my 10 years diary notes into something meaningful, self-published it in July and got the Literary Titan award on it yesterday. 19 more awards to go :)

Story of a Stolen Girl is my first published novel. It is an international thriller about a mother who does what no other mother has ever done to rescue her kidnapped daughter.

Two other novels are now in development.

Story of a Stolen Girl
Pat Spencer

I've written two (Don't Judge a Book and Still Waters Run Deep) and I'm working on the third (You Can Lead a Horse) now. I'm also thinking about a fourth, A Stitch in Time, based on the pandemic.

Hey,
I hope everyone is doing well.
I've written four, two are yet to be published.
Cheers

I've written one. I'm new at this. I have several short stories I want to develop into books though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PHY993Y/...